Happy to overtake Sachin: Sehwag
First Published : 08 Dec 2011, 04:47
Last Modified : 08 Dec 2011, 04:47
Indore, Dec 8: India captain Virender Sehwag won the Man-of-the-Match award, and a few more honours, for his breathtaking 219 that powered India to their highest-ever one-day total of 418 runs. Sehwag now holds the record for being the highest run-scorer in an ODI innings after going past Sachin Tendulkar’s previous record of an unbeaten 200 runs.
The Indian opener spoke to the media about his innings and India’s victory in the post-match presentation.
Excerpts:
On surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record
When Sachin [Tendulkar] scored 200, I remember standing in front and cheering [him]. It’s a great pleasure for me to overtake his record in one-day cricket. I think I am extremely happy with myself.
On both the double-centuries in ODIs having ben scored in Madhya Pradesh [Tendulkar at Gwalior and Sehwag in Indore]
I don’t mind coming back again and scoring another double hundred […] But [I’d like to] thank the crowd; they came and supported Team India and they were shouting till the last [over]. Thank you very much.
On enjoying batting on a pitch that aided batsmen
It’s a true wicket to bat on; I said [that] when I won the toss. If the wicket stays the same, it’s good to bat first without pressure. You can play some defensive shots [to begin with] and after that play your shots and end up with a hundred or double-hundred.
On whether the significance of his achievement had sunk in
It’s still sinking in. You get a chance to score a double-hundred only after 30 [years of age]. When you become 30 [years old], you [have] a lot of experience [behind] you; you have played almost 10 years of international cricket and then you think about that. [You say to yourself,] ‘Yes, if I can stay there for 50 overs, then I can get it’. The last time I played [for most of the innings], I ended with 175; this time I played 47 overs and scored 219 so I am pretty happy with that.
On the thumping victory
This is a young side and the young boys’ attitude is great. They [are] giving [it] their best when they come out to field, especially the young bowlers. I am especially impressed with Rahul Sharma; [he bowled] tremendously, took three wickets. [Thanks to him] there was less pressure [on the other bowlers].
On Rahul Sharma’s bowling
The way he is bowling, at some 90 kmph, if the ball stops and turns it’s very difficult to play.
On the likelihood of finishing the series 4-1 in Chennai
Yes, we will try our best and we will stick to our own process. If we do well in all [departments] – batting, fielding and bowling – then we will win the next game.
